La Crosse, WI
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Caledonia's Owen King is the La Crosse Tribune's football player of the year. King passed for 8,621 yards and 139 TDs in a stellar high school career, which included three MSHSL Class AA state championships. He was 41-0 as Caledonia's starting quarterback.

No. 2: Caledonia football wins MSHSL Class AA title

Caledonia's Owen King is the La Crosse Tribune's football player of the year. King passed for 8,621 yards and 139 TDs in a stellar high school career, which included three MSHSL Class AA state championships. He was 41-0 as Caledonia's starting quarterback.

The end result might not have been shocking to those in the know, but the way the Caledonia High School football team won its third consecutive MSHSL Class AA championship was a stunner.

After toppling what was thought to be their biggest challenge in the quarterfinals — top-ranked Caledonia beat No. 2 Minneapolis North 38-0 — the Warriors cruised to a 49-16 win over Paynesville in the semifinals, then put a 57-6 drubbing on Pipestone in the championship.

Caledonia held Pipestone’s offense to minus-11 yards in the title game, with the only score allowed being a kick return touchdown. Pipestone’s longest play of the November game was 5 yards.

Warriors’ quarterback Owen King was the ringleader — as he’s been throughout his career under center for Caledonia — of the team’s third straight perfect season. After finishing a 41-0 career as a starter and throwing for 8,621 yards and 139 touchdowns, King was named The Associated Press Player of the Year in Minnesota as well as the Tribune’s football player of the year.

The championship was the program’s seventh in the last 11 years, as Carl Fruechte and Brent Schroeder have each lead the team to titles in separate stints as head coach.

Photos: of Caledonia High School championship game

Caledonia championship game

Caledonia players celebrate its 57-6 Class AA state championship victory over Pipestone Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. It was the Warriors' third consecutive Class AA state title and eighth in the last 11 years.

Caledonia championship game

Caledonia players celebrate a touchdown by Sam Barthel (84) during Friday's Class AA state championship game against Pipestone Area at U.S. Bank Stadium. Barthel had three TD catches in the Warriors' 57-6 victory.

Caledonia championship game

Caledonia head coach Carl Fruechte jokes with his coaching staff as the Warriors run up the score towards the end of Friday's section 3AA state championship game against Pipestone Area at U.S. Bank Stadium.

player-of-year-inside-photo

Caledonia quarterback Owen King passes the ball during the MSHSL Class AA state championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on Nov. 24. King completed 18 of 28 passes for 246 yards and five TDs. He also ran for a TD in the Warriors' 57-6 victory over Pipestone.

Caledonia championship game

Caledonia's Andrew Goergen (20) and Jordan Burg, holding the Warrior's Class Class AA state championship trophy, high-five their fans after the conclusion of Friday's game against Pipestone at U.S. Bank Stadium.

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